This book describes the first major nuclear accident, which occurred in 1957 at Windscale, United Kingdom. Although the fire in the nuclear reactor resulted in no deaths or known injuries and little damage to the environment, it alarmed the public and therefore placed a shadow over nuclear power as a source of energy. The book places the accident in its historical context, describes the event and its consequences, explains the government actions that followed, and evaluates the impact of the accident after more than twenty years. Notes, references, and 11 appendices provide extensive documentation. The author is a historian who has written several books about British nuclear programs.